Abstract
This study analyzed settlement condition changes of Chungcheong region's mountain area during 10 years, from 2001 to 2012. We performed factor analysis and cluster analysis of data from the 'Census for Mountain Area' carried out by the Korea Forest Service in 2001 and 2012. Factors 1, 2, 3, and 4 represent 'the superiority of non-agricultural income', 'the industrialized mountainous area', 'residential conveniences and benefits', and 'the use of forest resources', respectively. Clusters 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are categorized as 'non-agricultural income', 'various mass social functions', 'production of forest products', 'industrialized mountainous region', and 'ordinary mountain region', respectively. We suggest that cluster 1 has potential for development and should be promoted as a possible tourist attraction by digging up geographically unique themes. Cluster 2 has great potential for development and needs planned management through the maintenance or expansion of existing infrastructure. Cluster 3 has potential for development with various high value added industries uncovered. Cluster 4 shows vitality as it holds plenty of more job opportunities than other regions. Cluster 5 is deteriorating as a mountainous region because of an aging population, and it urgently demands development. For a decade, 45 of the 60 regions belonged to a single category, which are now differentiated broadly into two types: Firstly, deterioration changes to potential development and Secondly, vitality is differentiated into potential development and deterioration.
